Connection system for firmly connecting at least two elements

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a joining system ( 1 ) for fixedly joining at least two elements ( 2, 3 ), in particular girders, comprising at least one first element ( 2 ) which is adjacent at one of its ends to the other element ( 3 ) on a contact surface ( 14 ) and is attached to this element with a joining means ( 11 ) and at least one connecting part ( 7 ), in particular a shear connector made of a high-strength material, preferably metal, which is connected to one of the elements ( 2 ), in particular by being integrated into it. To permit an improved possibility for fastening the two elements, it is provided according to this invention that the connecting part ( 7 ), in particular the shear connector, is provided with a continuous recess ( 9 ), in particular with a borehole, and the joining means ( 11 ) extends through the recess ( 9 ), whereby the element ( 2 ) receiving the connecting part ( 7 ) is designed as a wooden component.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a joining system for fixedly joining at least two elements, in particular beams and girders, comprising at least one first element which at one of its ends is adjacent to the other element on a contact face and is attached thereto by a joining means and at least one connection part, which is attached to one of the elements, in particular by being integrated into it, and is in particular a shear connector made of a high-strength material, preferably a metal.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A joining system of the generic type is known from German Patent DE 197 01 458 C1. The joining systems described there have proven especially suitable in wood construction. To ensure a stable joint, a supporting beam is divided—usually at the center—and a recess is cut into the interior of the beam. The cross-sectional contour of the recess corresponds to that of a metal shear connector, which is integrated into the beam. For the purpose of a secure hold, the shear connector is equipped with a plurality of mandrels which correspond to a complementary pattern of holes in the beam. Threaded boreholes are cut in the shear connector so that a connecting part can be attached fixedly by screws.

[0003] Joining systems of the type known previously, however, occasionally reach the limit of their assembly capacity. When space is limited, it may be difficult under some circumstances to manufacture the beam connector because there is not enough space and thus there is not enough accessibility to attach screws from the outside to a girder equipped with a shear connector.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Therefore, the object of this invention is to improve upon a joining system of the generic type, to permit a simplified and inexpensive method of mounting beams equipped with a shear connector onto any connecting elements.

[0005] The method of achieving this object is characterized according to this invention in that the connecting part, in particular the shear connector, is provided with a continuous recess, in particular a borehole, and the joining means extend through the recess, whereby the element accommodating the connecting part is designed as a wooden component. Due to this design there are novel and advantageous possibilities for joining systems, as explained below.

[0006] The connecting part in the form of the shear connector, which was previously already known as such, has a plurality of projections, i.e., mandrels, for integrally anchoring in one of the elements. Frequently the element receiving the connecting part is designed as a beam. As is already known, the element accommodating the shear connector may be designed to be divisible for insertion of the shear connector, preferably divisible in its central plane. However, division in a plane in which the tensile or compressive zone of the beam is located is also possible; in this manner, the beam force is introduced into the shear connector in the best possible manner and transmitted by it.

[0007] According to one refinement of this invention, the joining means for attachment to the other element is equipped with an end section which cooperates with an opposing section in or on the other element in a form-fitting manner. This refers in particular to a spherical or hook-shaped end section of the joining means which cooperates with a suspension connection or a click connection in the other element.

[0008] It is preferably provided that the joining means is equipped with a threaded section with cooperates with a threaded borehole on or in the other element for fastening to the other element.

[0009] Preferably a screw, in particular a cap head screw with a hexagonal head (socket-head cap screw) is used as the joining means. The head of the screw then advantageously has a diameter greater than the diameter of the borehole created in the shear connector. In addition, the head of the screw may be arranged on the side of the shear connector facing away from the other element.

[0010] To accommodate the shear connector in the beam, according to a refinement of this invention, a recess running is cut along the longitudinal axis of the beam, preferably having a cross section in the shape of a diamond or a square, extending at least slightly beyond the length of the shear connector. In most cases however, the recess running along the longitudinal axis of the beam will extend over the entire length of the beam, which may be simpler from the standpoint of the manufacturing technology.

[0011] For mounting of the element, preferably a beam or girder, on the other element, it is preferable for it to have a recess on the side of the shear connector facing away from the other element, the longitudinal axis of this recess forming an angle with that of the element, preferably the beam, whereby the two recesses intersect. It is provided here to advantage that the angle amounts to between 20° and 60°, preferably between 30° and 50°.

[0012] Although a beam is preferably provided as the first element, this invention can equally be applied to any other elements to be joined, in particular flat or rod-shaped components such as boards.

[0013] After mounting, the opening formed at the surface of the beam by the recess arranged at an angle may be provided with a closure, in particular a stopper.

[0014] A further simplification of the assembly procedure is obtained when a securing element is arranged behind the screw as seen from the contact surface away in the beam, this securing element preventing displacement of the screw relative to the connecting part; the securing element is preferably a pin. It is advantageously arranged at a distance of 5 to 200 mm, preferably 75 to 125 mm, from the end of the screw in the mounted state.

[0015] The elements to be joined, in particular beams, may be made of wood, metal, especially steel, or steel-reinforced concrete. It is equally possible to establish a connection to and/or between masonry walls or masonry parts. In addition, one or both of the elements to be joined may be made of plastic. In other words, the joining system proposed here is suitable for a wide variety of applications, especially advantageously in wooden cross-beams in a wooden load-bearing system.

[0016] The especially advantageous applications of the joining system are in supporting frameworks and in trelliswork-style constructions as well as in furniture, especially in solid wooden furniture. It is also used to advantage in the manufacture of laminated board materials, preferably in boards composed of multiple layers of wood.

COMMERCIAL APPLICABILITY

[0017] The joining system proposed here permits construction of very simple and inexpensive joints, which can be used for wood-wood joints, wood-steel joints, wood-steel-reinforced concrete joints and wood-masonry joints, for example. This makes it possible to implement dense packings and/or arrangements of multiple beam elements.

[0018] It is very advantageous that no visible connections remain with any desired joints. The seal also yields an improved fire prevention effect to advantage.

[0019] The joining system according to this invention may also be used to implement and construct wooden structures of multiple floors, in particular two to three floors. This leads to new possibilities in wood construction.

[0020] With the joining system according to this invention it is possible to produce not only two connections but also several combined connections. This makes it possible to produce symmetrical or asymmetrical designs, in particular with any desired beam cross sections—namely it is possible to produce connections resembling node points in an especially simple manner, where symmetrical or eccentrically positioned elements come together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The drawing shows one exemplary embodiment of the invention, showing:

[0022]FIG. 1 schematically a section through a joining system consisting of two beams attached to a main girder;

[0023]FIG. 2 a perspective view of the connection part and the joining means before assembly;

[0024]FIG. 3 connection point and joining means in the assembled state;

[0025]FIG. 4 a view of the connection part inserted into the beam together with the joining means;

[0026]FIG. 5 the process of assembly of the beam on a second element; and

[0027]FIG. 6 a perspective view of the beam in the condition ready for assembly.

MEANS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0028]FIG. 1 shows schematically a section through a joining system 1. Two beams 2—designed as secondary girders of a wooden construction—are attached to a main girder 3. For the purpose of establishing a stable connection between elements 2 and 3, beams 2 are designed as divided in the plane 4 of the greatest compressive and tensile stress. Recesses 6 having the shape of a diamond in cross section run along the longitudinal axis 5 of the beam 2 on both sides of the plane of division 4.

[0029] The recesses 6 are adapted to the basic shape of the shear connector 7, which is provided with mandrels 8, to find a secure hold in beam 2. Details of this design can be found in DE 197 01 458 C1.

[0030] The shear connector 7 is provided with a continuous borehole 9. The joining means 11 in the form of a socket-head cap screw may be passed through this borehole 9. The diameter of the borehole 9 in the shear connector 7 is smaller than the diameter of the screw head 12. Thus the shear connector 7—and thus also the beam 2—may be fixedly joined to the main girder 3 (into which a threaded sleeve 13 has been fixedly inserted) by tightening the screw 11. The head 12 of the socket-head cap screw 11 is thus arranged on the side of the shear connector 7 at a distance from the contact face 14 between the beam 2 and the main girder 3.

[0031] The following procedure is used for assembly of the beam 2 on the main girder 3:

[0032] Another recess 15 is situated behind the shear connector 7—as seen from the contact face 14—in addition to the recess 6 running longitudinally in the beam 2. Its axis 16 is arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis 5 of the beam 2. The two recesses—recess 6 running longitudinally in the beam and recess 15 running at an angle to the former—intersect, providing access to the recess 6 from the outside. The angle at which the recess 15 runs to the longitudinal axis 5 preferably varies between 30° and 50°.

[0033] A suitable tool (e.g., an articulated wrench with a cardan shaft drive 17 or a flexible shaft) is inserted into recess 15 and also into recess 6, and the head 12 of the socket-head cap screw 11 is gripped and turned for the purpose of tightening the screw in the beam. The screw can be tightened with the desired torque. After tightening the screw 11, the opening 18 which creates the recess 15 on the outside of the beam, can be closed by a stopper (not shown); for example a wooden stopper which fits the recess exactly may be glued in place there.

[0034] In order for screw 11 not to be able to slip out of the shear connector 7 before assembly, a securing pin 19 is arranged at a slight distance behind the shear connector 7.

[0035]FIG. 2 shows in a prospective view the shear connector 7 with its mandrels 8. The shear connector 7 is designed as an elongated part through which borehole 9 passes. The socket-head cap screw 11 is illustrated before insertion into shear connector 7.

[0036] On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows a side view of the shear connector 7 with the screw 11 inserted.

[0037]FIG. 4 shows the bottom half 21 of the beam 2 which is divided at the plane of division 4. The shear connector 7 with the screw 11 passing through it has been inserted into recess 6 in the beam 2 running longitudinally. In addition, this also shows recess 15 running at an angle and intersecting recess 6.

[0038]FIG. 5 shows a similar structure, also showing how beam 2 is connected to a second element (spherical here) by the shear connector 7. Additional beams 2 may be screwed onto the spherical element to produce the node point of the framework.

[0039] Screw 11 is tightened by means of tool 17. Tool 17 extends from the recess 15 into recess 6 in which the shear connector 7 is arranged.

[0040]FIG. 6 shows a prospective diagram of beam 2 in the completely mounted state. Beam 2 is composed of its two halves, which are in contact at the joining plane 4. The tool 7 is inserted into the orifice 18 to be able to tighten the screw 11. 

1. A joining system (1) for fixedly joining at least two elements (2, 3), in particular girders, comprising at least one first element (2) which is adjacent at one of its ends to the other element (3) at a contact face (14) and is attached to this with a joining means (11), and at least one connecting part (7) which is connected to one of the elements (2), in particular being integrated into it, in particular shear connectors made of a high-strength material, preferably metal, characterized in that the element (2) accommodating the connecting part (7) is designed as a wooden component, preferably a board, a laminated board, board layers or a contribution thereof, and the connecting part (7), in particular the shear connector, is provided with a continuous recess (9), in particular a borehole, and the joining means (11) extends through the recess (9), so it is freely movable in the longitudinal direction.
 2. The joining system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting part (7) is designed as a shear connector, which is provided with a plurality of projections (8), in particular mandrels, for integral anchoring in one of the elements (2).
 3. The joining system according to one of claims 1 through 2, characterized in that the element (2), preferably the beam, is designed to be divisible, preferably in its middle plane (4), for introducing the connecting part (7).
 4. The joining system according to claim 3, characterized in that the element (2), preferably the beam, is divided in the plane (14) in which the tensile or compressive zone of the element (2) is situated, in order to receive the connecting part (7).
 5. The joining system according to one of claims 1 through 4, characterized in that the joining means (11) is equipped with an end section, which cooperates in a form-fitting manner with a mating section on or in the other element (3) for fastening it to the other element (3).
 6. The joining system according to one of claims 1 through 5, characterized in that the joining means (11) is equipped with a threaded section for fastening to the other element (3), this threaded section cooperating with a threaded borehole in or on the other element (3).
 7. The joining system according to one of claims 1 through 6, characterized in that the joining means (11) is a screw, preferably a pan head screw with a hexagonal head (socket-head cap screw).
 8. The joining system according to claim 7, characterized in that the head (12) of the screw (11) has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the borehole (9) created in the connecting part (7).
 9. The joining system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the head (12) of the screw (11), in particular the pan head screw with a hexagonal head (socket-head cap screw) is arranged on the side of the connecting part (7) facing away from the other element (3).
 10. The joining system according to one of claims 1 through 9, characterized in that a recess (6) is cut into the element (2), preferably into the beam, running along the longitudinal axis (5) of the element (2), preferably the beam, to receive the shear connector (7), with the recess preferably having a cross section in the form of a diamond or a square extending at least slightly beyond the length of the shear connector (7).
 11. The joining system according to claim 10, characterized in that the recess (6) running along the longitudinal axis (5) of the element (2), preferably the beam, extends over the entire length of the element (2), preferably the beam.
 12. The joining system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the element (2), preferably the beam, has a recess on the side of the shear connector (7) facing away from the other element (3), the longitudinal axis (16) of this recess (15) forming an angle with the longitudinal axis (5) of the element (2), preferably the beam, such that the two recesses (6, 15) intersect.
 13. The joining system according to claim 12, characterized in that the angle is between 20° and 60°, preferably between 30° and 50°.
 14. The joining system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the opening (18) which forms the recess (15) arranged at an angle on the surface of the element (2), preferably the beam, is provided with a closure, in particular with a stopper.
 15. The joining system according to one of claims 1 through 14, characterized in that a securing element (19) is arranged in the first element (2), in particular in the beam, behind the joining means (11), in particular the screw, as seen from the contact surface (14), and prevents displacement of the joining means (11) relative to the connection part (7).
 16. The joining system according to claim 15, characterized in that the securing element (19) is a pin.
 17. The joining system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the distance between the end of the joining means (11) in the mounted state and the securing element (19) is between 5 and 200 mm, preferably between 75 and 125 mm.
 18. The joining system according to one of claims 1 through 17, characterized in that at least one element (2, 3), in particular the beam (2) is made of wood.
 19. The joining system according to one of claims 1 through 18, characterized in that at least one element (2, 3) is made of metal, especially steel.
 20. The joining system according to one of claims 1 through 18, characterized in that at least one element (2, 3) is made of steel-reinforced concrete.
 21. The joining system according to one of claims 1 through 18, characterized in that at least one element (2, 3) is made of masonry or masonry parts.
 22. The joining system according to one of claims 1 through 21, characterized in that the first element (2) is a cross-beam made of wood in a wooden supporting structure.
 23. A use of a joining system according to one of claims 1 through 22, in wood construction.
 24. The use according to claim 23 in a supporting structure or framework.
 25. The use according to claim 23 in construction of furniture, especially in construction of solid wood furniture.
 26. The use according to claim 23 in construction of board materials, preferably of boards composed of multiple layers of wood. 